USFC establishes I-League credentials despite going down 2-1 to Dempo

SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 28 Oct: Bhaichung’s United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] went down a fighting 2-1 to the defending champions, Dempo SC, at Paljor Stadium today in a keenly contested match which saw tempers flaring both on and off the field. Even though the scoreboard posted the home club as the losing team, Bhaichung’s squad emerged winners, having established beyond doubt that even though seen as the underdogs in the senior division, they more than deserve to be among the best.
The home club put up a good fight and brought its best game to the ground today, playing their third home match of their I-League debut.
USFC players displayed oodles of fighting spirit till the final whistle and received boisterous support from the home crowd. As the match proved today, they pushed the defending champions to the wall today. The match also witnessed some controversial refereeing decisions which were lustily protested by the USFC players and spectators.
The match started strong with USFC launching strong early attacks but missing the Dempo net much to the frustration of the keen fans who packed the stadium today. Just as the Dempo defence appeared to be crumbling in the face of USFC forays, the Goan strikers came good when a counter attack in the 21st minute saw Koko Sakibo score the first goal of the match and pulling Dempo SC in the lead. The first half ended with the Dempo ahead at 1-0.
USFC returned strong after the drinks break and their attacking game won them the equalizer in the 58th minute from the boots of Nurudeen Salau.
The attacks and counter-attacks continued relentlessly through the second half but defenders at both ends held strong. The teams were so evenly balanced that regulation time ended in a draw and the match was decided in the 3 minute injury time right at the end. And even that to a controversial refereeing call which awarded Dempo SC a penalty shot.
At the root of the incident was a rough tackle which brought down a Dempo striker in the USFC penalty box. The horror continued for the home club when an emotional USFC defender Sandesh Jhingan, gesticulating wildly to protest the penalty accidentally hit a Dempo player on the face. This earned him a red card.
Being a man down so late in the game would not have affected USFC much but they have now lost the services of this able defender for the next two matches and to rub salt on their hurt, Ryuji Sueoka converted the penalty and won the match for Dempo SC.
Dempo goalkeeper, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury was awarded the Man of the Match title.
Addressing the post-match press conference, Dempo SC coach, Armando Colaco, lauded the game of his squad and shared that the club is not only going home with 3 points but also fond memories of Sikkim despite the challenging weather conditions and other difficulties. He also appreciated the game played by the home club.
“USFC players played a very good game and control over the Dempo SC players but the experience of the Dempo SC took over at the end,” he said. Mr Colaco further commented that he really liked the game of some USFC players and will be monitoring their game closely and exploring possibilities of signing them on when the next transfer season arrives.
USFC coach, Philip De Ridder, was elated with the performance of his boys and mentioned that the team deserved points for the fantastic game they played. He added that the team has been improving with every match and pointed out that it was the credit of the squad’s commitment that no difference was obvious between the I-League champions and the debutants at Paljor Stadium today.
Responding to media queries over the controversial referring decisions, Mr Ridder commented that referees made decisions on the spot and being human could make mistakes, but their decisions need to be respected.